INNISFAIL – The races are on.
The Innisfail Lions Club is hosting the town’s first soap box derby on July 27.
The event takes place on 50th Street, next to the Innisfail Cemetery, and runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Races begin at 10 a.m.
“The Lions Club is all about giving back to the community. It’s a fabulous family thing to do,” said Eileen Reid, president of the club. “We looked at this a while ago and there’s a lot of things to organize and figure out. We got some space to do it and decided to go for it.”
Reid said the Lions Club has been planning the event for several months.
“We’ll start registration and inspection of cars around 8:30 and the first race starts at 10 o’clock,” she said. “We have different age groups that we’ll be working with.”
Each age group begins races at a designated time. They include participants six to eight years (10 to 11 a.m.), nine to 11 years (11 a.m. to 12 p.m.), 12 to 14 years (12 to 1 p.m.) and 15 to 16 years (1 to 2 p.m.).
There will be ribbons awarded for first-, second- and third-place finishes as well as prizes for home-built cars in several categories, said Reid, including most original design, most colourful and people’s choice.
Judging of cars will take place following the races.
Participants can register the day of the event and must complete a registration form and submit an entry fee of $20 per car, noted Reid, adding that families can build their own car or purchase a Go Kit.
“We have Go Kits (that people) can purchase from us for $80,” she said, noting there are strict regulations put in place by the Alberta Soap Box Derby Association. “(The Go Kit) includes an automotive style steering mechanism, wheels, plans, templates and all the parts that you need to build a racer.” Participants will need to purchase a five by eight piece of plywood, nails, screws and glue.
The Innisfail Kinsmen Club will also be helping out by providing a barbecue starting at 11 a.m. and the Rotary Club of Innisfail will help start the day off with a 9 a.m. pancake breakfast.
Reid said organizers hope to make the soap box derby an annual event, one for the entire family to enjoy.
“For kids under the age of six, we’ll have an area where some of the sponsored (soap box) cars will be and with parental guidance, they’ll be able to sit in them and (parents can) push them around," said Reid. "They'll get to experience it too even though they can’t go down the hill.”
For more information call 403-227-6155 or email [email protected]
